“In the essential beliefs, we have unity. In the non-essential beliefs, we have liberty. In all our beliefs, we show charity (love)”.
-St. Augustine of Hippo
At DC3, we hold to the truth that God desires for all of His people to walk in unity and love (John 17). We focus simply on the “essential beliefs”; those beliefs necessary to becoming a totally devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we call ourselves interdenominational because we strive to glean the best from all denominations to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbors as Christ has loved us! (Romans 14:1, 4, 22; 1 Corinthians 13:2, Titus 3:1-10)
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6
The Essentials We Believe
God... is the creator and the ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those three are co-equal with God and are one God. (Genesis 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus Christ... is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. He was born of a virgin and lived a perfect, sinless human life. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days, ascended into heaven, and will return again someday to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrew 4:14:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13)
The Holy Spirit... is co-equal with the Father and Son. He is present in the world to make mankind aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of Salvation. He provides the believer with power for living, understanding spiritual truth, wisdom, and guidance for doing what is right. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 2:4)
The Bible... is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for all Christian beliefs. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalms 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)
People... are made in the image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme objects of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life and our world. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)
Salvation... is God’s free gift to us, but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sins by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting Jesus Christ as God’s offer for forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-willed life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one confesses their sin and receives Jesus Christ into their heart by faith. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 14:6, ; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)
Eternity… is inevitable. The soul of every human being was created to live forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through salvation and forgiveness. Hell is eternal separation from God. Heaven is eternal union with God. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence. (John 2:25, 3:16, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 10:15; Matthew 1:8)
